Arts & Entertainment

Cranford Twins Take the Stage for 'Oliver' at the Paper Mill Playhouse

The 10-year-old brothers, Ryan and Lee Rosenthal will perform in their biggest production from Nov. 21 to Dec. 29.


Lee and Ryan Rosenthal of Cranford and just 11 other kids were chosen from more than 200 who auditioned for the roles of Workhouse Boys in the Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of “Oliver.”

On a usual Friday afternoon, the boys were walking home from school when they spotted balloons tied to the front porch of their home. Since their parents' anniversary had just passed, Lee assumed the balloons were for that, but as the boys got closer they saw the words, “Hollywood” and “Congratulations.”

“We were definitely ecstatic,“ he said. “We screamed and my dad has it on film.”

The 10-year-old twins are no strangers to acting, dancing, singing and even comedy. Since they were in Kindergarten, the boys were performing as they attended The Sundance School in North Plainfield. They later joined the Cranford Dramatic Club, where they were in several performances.

Although the boys have been at it for many years, the performance at the Paper Mill Playhouse is the biggest production they have ever been a part of.

As the boys prepare for their roles of workhouse boys (orphans), they have already attended three rehearsals, including one in New York City this past weekend.

“I’ve improved since the first day,” Ryan said. “This production is a really big step, it’s more complicated and more work.”

The boys have probably about six more rehearsals before opening night, which is Nov. 21, Lee said. The Rosenthal’s will be in two songs during “Oliver”, where they will sing and dance. Lee was also given a solo for the show at this weekend's rehearsals, Ryan told Patch.

“There’s a lot to look forward to,” Lee said. “I’m excited to work with big equity Paper Mill people, to meet the director and to see the audience’s reaction when we perform.”

Lee added that Cranford has definitely made his personality grow and being a part of all the arts, as well as baseball, soccer and tennis has been a huge part of who is he.

Ryan said that he loves doing this because it is fun, but also he likes to know all of the improvements he makes.

“I want to be triple threat and a comedian,” Ryan added. “If you have all three, you have lots of technique and can be a part of bigger shows.”

Both boys attend Brookside Place School, where Lee says they are really involved in musical education and have learned so much from their teacher Ms. Rapach.

“We have been training and preparing for a number of years,” Lee said. “We’ve had a lot of good teachers along the way.”

The Rosenthal’s said it is thanks to people and places such as Sundance, the CDC, Fusion Dance Studio, Ms. Rapach and their vocal coach, Juan Pineda, that have helped them get to where they are.

The boys are also the nephews of Cranford residents, Allison Brewster Franzetti, a Grammy nominated pianist and her husband, Carlos Franzetti, a jazz musician and Latin Grammy winner. The boys said are very thankful for the advice and assistance their aunt and uncle provide them with.

See the Rosenthal’s in the Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of “Oliver” from Nov. 21 to Dec. 29. 

“Oliver” is an adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel that tells the tale of a young orphan looking to find a family in Victorian London. The performance will feature David Garrison of the sitcom "Married... with Children."



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